Split Blood: The Ancient Codex - Part One (Book #1 ) - COMPLETE

CHAPTER ONE - THE SATUS (Part 3)

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CHAPTER ONE – THE SATUS

(Part 3)

The ropes were tight but I loosened them within minutes.

I implored her to flee and come with me, but as I looked back down at her hands, the ropes had tightened again as though they had never been touched.

The fire was gaining in intensity. I began to panic as I realised we didn’t have much time left. ‘Please come with me!’ I shrieked as I tried every possible avenue to free her, but she just smiled gently at me and firmly held her gaze.

I soon became hysterical and looked around desperately for something to cut the rope with - but there was nothing.

With the excited chants of the murderous clan and the flames roaring out of control, I didn’t hear her the first time she asked me to go closer to her. She asked calmly once more. Her skin was beginning to burn and tear, so I raced to her side, ‘Shhh,’ she whispered as my wails became louder. ‘You cannot stop this - it’s already happened. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of being ashamed of who you are. Embrace it and use it wisely,’ she advised as I touched her bloody face to let her know I wouldn’t leave her side.

The touch of my hand seemed to have some effect; her expression changed became less calm, and a look of shock spread across her face. ‘I don’t have a lot of time. Please listen, and don’t be scared. You’re not like everyone else - you have so much power inside you. I can feel it in your touch. However, you will face a difficult decision in the future and it will concern more than those in your circle; be safe and take this.’ A small, weighty black stone fell deliberately from her hand into mine.

‘What is this?’ I asked, looking at her depleting state.

She looked down and managed one more breath before concluding: ‘It helps us witches when we are in grave danger and cannot rely on our powers any more…’ With that, her whole body was reduced to ashes and floated gently away on the wind.

  

As soon as the last of her ashes spiralled above my head, I was catapulted back into the present with everyone at the table observing my distressed state. I was so emotional that I hadn’t noticed the flames coming from my hand, until Raven started screaming and pointing to the object of her fear.

Mim ran over, doused my hand with water, and I opened it to show neither pain nor evidence that it had been aflame.

All that was there was the small black stone I’d received from the woman from the Dark Ages. ‘H-h-how is this possible?’ I stuttered as Mim looked at my mother and beckoned her to join us.

‘I know I should have told you sooner, but you had to see the evidence first - I knew you wouldn’t believe me. You’re a witch, Faith. We all are. I brought you here to learn of your heritage,’ she confessed as she assessed the damage to my hand.

Was this a joke? ‘Witches don’t exist!’ I thought to myself.